- 23/6/17
- 392
- 156
- 43
Hi there,
After the long wait on the ZF Pelagos 39 release, and the huge disappointment when it comes to the dial, I’ve decided to go ahead and purchase its best alternative, the TUF factory version.
Source: David (non-td)
Cost: 2200 CNY or $310 USD
shipped via triangular (tarifless) DHL
First Impression
The watch feels very solid and the finishing on the titanium is surprisingly good. A very light-weight watch which hasn’t lost its premium and solid feel.
While shaking it, I can hear some rotor rattle which for sure needs to be inspected, as I will do some regular silencing on it as well.
DIAL
The kerning on the TUDOR logo isn’t perfect, the spacing between U and D making it look a bit like TU DOR, but this is very common on the gen pieces as well so won’t consider this a flaw at all.
The PELAGOS text on the bottom has a nice 3D look, and the spacing of the text below it, looks perfect.
The sunburst is also identical to gen, based on the pics and videos found online.
The hour markers are all perfectly aligned and straight but here comes the fun part and together with it, the first big flaw.
I must admit it’s 100% my fault as during the initial QC I haven’t paid attention to the lume color.
On the gen Pelagos 39, the hand’s lume tend to be a slightly yellow-ish shade compared to the hour markers, while on mine, they are completely the other way around, and the color difference is quite substantial.
This should’ve been a strong reason for asking for a replacement, but since I didn’t pay enough attention during the QC, I’ll now have to do a re-lume and see if this could be fixed.
The second flaw is the chapter ring, and this is not something particular on this piece, but a generic flaw of the TUF version.
It is around 1mm larger (wider) than on the gen, but other than this, the minute markers are perfectly spaced and perfectly painted.
BEZEL
To my eyes, comparing it with online pics, the pattern and texture of the bezel, the markers as well as the sunburst effect, all look spot on.
The action on the bezel however isn’t perfect. I never used or seen the gen bezel in real life, but the action on this doesn’t feel as solid and crisp as it does on a Clean Factory or VSF Rolex.
CRYSTAL
Nothing much to say here, I’m quite satisfied with the clarity and the AR coating on the crystal. If I were to compare with something I wouldn’t find any differneces between this and the stock VSF crystal of a No-Date Submariner, so I won’t see any room for upgrades here.
CASE & CASEBACK
The finishing of the titanium around the case is surprisingly good. The angles, the edges of the different details around the lugs and the crown guards are perfectly executed, leaving no sharp edges or uneven surfaces.
Also the SEL gaps on this particular watch look quite good and even. Maybe a slightly larger gap in the bottom right corner, but gen Tudors have this as well, so wouldn’t consider it a flaw.
The engravings on the caseback look good to the naked eye, so nothing to complain there.
CROWN
The finishing of the crown looks nice and even, it has the rounded top edge and the 3D logo.
Compared to online pics the 3D logo seems not as raised as the gen one, but this might as well be just a lighting aspect.
On the other hand the crown action is kind of rough. Winding the watch and setting the time doesn’t feel smooth at all.
If I were to compare with something, would be the first Clean Factory batches, when you’d be able to hear someone winding it from 3m away.
RUBBER STRAP & CLASP
It’s worth mentioning that unlike the ZF version, this TUF only comes on a rubber strap, so there’s no option or getting a titanium bracelet from the factory.
The rubber strap feels very premium, and it doesn’t catch many fingerprints.
This it’s perfectly flexible, not too soft not too hard with plenty of adjustment holes even for a very large wrist.
The clasp itself is nicely finished with no sharp edges.
MOVEMENT
Supposed to be a gen SW200 but haven’t been able to confirm it yet.
(will update this in the comments)
As mentioned in the crown section, winding is a bit rough, rotor is a bit loud while spinning and it also has a bit of rattling noise, but my watchsmith will inspect this soon.
Initial QC accuracy stats showed +/- 4 seconds.
CONCLUSION
The TUF version is a great competitor to the current ZF Pelagos 39, as long as you can live with the slightly wider chapter ring, a flaw that’s barely visible to the naked eye but still can’t be unseen when comparing it to the ZF or the GEN.
It sits nicely on the wrist and it wears a bit smaller in my opinion than a regular 39mm watch.
After the long wait on the ZF Pelagos 39 release, and the huge disappointment when it comes to the dial, I’ve decided to go ahead and purchase its best alternative, the TUF factory version.
Source: David (non-td)
Cost: 2200 CNY or $310 USD
shipped via triangular (tarifless) DHL
First Impression
The watch feels very solid and the finishing on the titanium is surprisingly good. A very light-weight watch which hasn’t lost its premium and solid feel.
While shaking it, I can hear some rotor rattle which for sure needs to be inspected, as I will do some regular silencing on it as well.
DIAL
The kerning on the TUDOR logo isn’t perfect, the spacing between U and D making it look a bit like TU DOR, but this is very common on the gen pieces as well so won’t consider this a flaw at all.
The PELAGOS text on the bottom has a nice 3D look, and the spacing of the text below it, looks perfect.
The sunburst is also identical to gen, based on the pics and videos found online.
The hour markers are all perfectly aligned and straight but here comes the fun part and together with it, the first big flaw.
I must admit it’s 100% my fault as during the initial QC I haven’t paid attention to the lume color.
On the gen Pelagos 39, the hand’s lume tend to be a slightly yellow-ish shade compared to the hour markers, while on mine, they are completely the other way around, and the color difference is quite substantial.
This should’ve been a strong reason for asking for a replacement, but since I didn’t pay enough attention during the QC, I’ll now have to do a re-lume and see if this could be fixed.
The second flaw is the chapter ring, and this is not something particular on this piece, but a generic flaw of the TUF version.
It is around 1mm larger (wider) than on the gen, but other than this, the minute markers are perfectly spaced and perfectly painted.
BEZEL
To my eyes, comparing it with online pics, the pattern and texture of the bezel, the markers as well as the sunburst effect, all look spot on.
The action on the bezel however isn’t perfect. I never used or seen the gen bezel in real life, but the action on this doesn’t feel as solid and crisp as it does on a Clean Factory or VSF Rolex.
CRYSTAL
Nothing much to say here, I’m quite satisfied with the clarity and the AR coating on the crystal. If I were to compare with something I wouldn’t find any differneces between this and the stock VSF crystal of a No-Date Submariner, so I won’t see any room for upgrades here.
CASE & CASEBACK
The finishing of the titanium around the case is surprisingly good. The angles, the edges of the different details around the lugs and the crown guards are perfectly executed, leaving no sharp edges or uneven surfaces.
Also the SEL gaps on this particular watch look quite good and even. Maybe a slightly larger gap in the bottom right corner, but gen Tudors have this as well, so wouldn’t consider it a flaw.
The engravings on the caseback look good to the naked eye, so nothing to complain there.
CROWN
The finishing of the crown looks nice and even, it has the rounded top edge and the 3D logo.
Compared to online pics the 3D logo seems not as raised as the gen one, but this might as well be just a lighting aspect.
On the other hand the crown action is kind of rough. Winding the watch and setting the time doesn’t feel smooth at all.
If I were to compare with something, would be the first Clean Factory batches, when you’d be able to hear someone winding it from 3m away.
RUBBER STRAP & CLASP
It’s worth mentioning that unlike the ZF version, this TUF only comes on a rubber strap, so there’s no option or getting a titanium bracelet from the factory.
The rubber strap feels very premium, and it doesn’t catch many fingerprints.
This it’s perfectly flexible, not too soft not too hard with plenty of adjustment holes even for a very large wrist.
The clasp itself is nicely finished with no sharp edges.
MOVEMENT
Supposed to be a gen SW200 but haven’t been able to confirm it yet.
(will update this in the comments)
As mentioned in the crown section, winding is a bit rough, rotor is a bit loud while spinning and it also has a bit of rattling noise, but my watchsmith will inspect this soon.
Initial QC accuracy stats showed +/- 4 seconds.
CONCLUSION
The TUF version is a great competitor to the current ZF Pelagos 39, as long as you can live with the slightly wider chapter ring, a flaw that’s barely visible to the naked eye but still can’t be unseen when comparing it to the ZF or the GEN.
It sits nicely on the wrist and it wears a bit smaller in my opinion than a regular 39mm watch.
